Leeds ready to sell Meslier, Newcastle goalkeeper wanted as replacement
Illan Meslier has been at the heart of some serious Leeds United blunders this season and now Daniel Farke is set to move him on.
Although Farke has stood by his goalkeeper throughout the season so far, mistakes against Swansea last weekend cost the Whites two points and saw them drop from the top of the table.
As a result, Karl Darlow was brought into the starting line-up to take on Luton on Saturday (5 April) but another draw has left Leeds searching for a new number one.
Leeds eye Newcastle goalkeeper
Farke’s side have been excellent for the majority of the season although there are now concerns that automatic promotion could be a step too far with the Whites falling to third in the table.
While the German boss put together a strong side, Meslier has been identified as the weak link and his dropping from the team felt like a relief for many supporters.
| Stats | Meslier v Swansea |
| Saves | 4 |
| Errors leading to goal | 1 |
| Goals conceded | 2 |
Darlow may not have made any major blunders but as Leeds dropped points again and took just a point against Luton, it has left Farke ready for a refresh next term.
According to The Sun (6 April, page 55), regardless of which direction Leeds’ push for Premier League football goes in, they will be looking to replace Meslier in the summer transfer window.
The report states that Leeds have already started looking at potential replacements and Newcastle’s Nick Pope is one name on that list, alongside James Trafford.
A lot is set to be dictated by where different clubs find themselves at the end of the season but Farke is seemingly aiming high with his search for a replacement, eager not to be in a similar position again.
Leeds have to gain promotion
Leeds have to hope that they don’t find themselves in a Catch-22 at the end of this term.
After their 1-1 draw with Luton, the Whites sit third in the table with just two points separating the top three teams.
If recent form is anything to go by, Farke’s men could easily find themselves falling further away and, as we know, play-off campaigns aren’t memorable for the right reasons at Elland Road.
However, if the West Yorkshire outfit fails to go up, their goalkeeping targets may have to be reigned in somewhat.
Pope may not have been in his best form for Newcastle, with injuries not helping his season either but he is still a Premier League player who has won a Carabao Cup medal this season.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the North-East in 2026 but whether he would be keen on a drop down to the Championship is debatable.
That being said, there is no doubt that Farke needs to find a new man to stand between the sticks, that can be relied on and deliver the expected standards for the supporters at Elland Road.
Plenty of the summer transfer business will rest on the final league positions of this term but Farke may not be able to get his top targets if his side remains in the second tier.